Submitting an immigration application to Canada can be both exciting and stressful. After spending time completing forms, collecting documents, paying fees and submitting an application, one of the first questions many applicants ask is: How do I know if IRCC actually received my application?
IRCC, or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, receives applications for Canadian permanent residence, temporary residence, citizenship and other immigration programs. Depending on how you applied, there are different ways to confirm that your application reached IRCC.
One important point is that an application being delivered or submitted is not necessarily the same thing as receiving an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR). IRCC explains that it may receive an application before opening it and checking whether it is complete. The AOR is generally sent after IRCC opens the application and completes its initial completeness check.
This guide explains the main signs that IRCC has received your application, how online and paper applications differ, what an AOR means, how to check your application status and what to do if you have not heard from IRCC.
What Does It Mean When IRCC Receives Your Application?
When people say that IRCC has “received” their application, they may mean several different things.
For an online application, IRCC can receive the application electronically after it has been successfully submitted through the appropriate online system.
For a paper application, the application must physically arrive at the designated IRCC office or processing location.
However, simply knowing that the package arrived does not necessarily mean IRCC has finished reviewing it for completeness.
IRCC states that there can be a delay between the date an application is received and the date it is opened. The department sends an AOR after opening the application and checking that it is complete.
This distinction is important because applicants sometimes expect an AOR immediately after submitting an application.
How to Know IRCC Received an Online Application
If you applied online, the process is generally easier to document because the submission happens electronically.
IRCC says online applicants should receive a confirmation page after successfully submitting their application. Applicants may also receive an email telling them to check their account for a confirmation message and number, or an email confirming that the application was submitted.
Look for Your Submission Confirmation
After submitting an online application, carefully check the email address associated with your application.
Look for:
- A submission confirmation
- A confirmation number
- Instructions to check your IRCC account
- Messages relating to your application
- Your application number, if one has already been issued
It is a good idea to keep the confirmation email and save copies of important documents associated with your submission.
Check Your IRCC Account
If you applied through an IRCC online account or portal, sign in and review your submitted applications.
Depending on the application type and system used, you may see your application, status information or messages from IRCC.
IRCC’s official status page explains that applicants can use their account to view application status and messages.
If IRCC has sent you a message requesting additional information or documents, it is important to read and respond within the deadline stated in the message.
How to Know IRCC Received a Paper Application
Paper applications work differently.
If you mailed your application to IRCC, the first thing to establish is whether the package was delivered to the correct destination.
IRCC recommends using a postal or courier service with tracking when mailing applications. A tracking number can provide evidence that the package was delivered to the IRCC office.
Check Your Courier Tracking
If you used a courier or postal service, find your tracking number and check the delivery information.
A delivery confirmation can show that the package reached the destination.
However, delivery confirmation is not the same as an AOR.
The courier can confirm that the package was delivered, but it cannot confirm that IRCC has opened the application, checked the documents or started processing it.
Wait for the AOR
After IRCC receives and opens the application, it checks whether the submission is complete.
If the application passes the initial completeness check, IRCC sends an AOR containing an application number.
The AOR is one of the clearest official signs that IRCC has accepted the application into its processing system.
What Is an Acknowledgement of Receipt?
An Acknowledgement of Receipt, commonly called an AOR, is a communication from IRCC confirming that the department has received and completed an initial completeness check on the application.
The AOR normally provides an application number that can be used to identify the application and, depending on the program, access status information.
It is important to understand that an AOR does not mean the application has been approved.
Instead, it means the application has reached a stage where IRCC has acknowledged it after its initial completeness review.
After that, the application can continue through the relevant processing stages.
Does No AOR Mean IRCC Did Not Receive My Application?
Not necessarily.
This is one of the most important things applicants should understand.
IRCC explains that there may be a delay between receiving an application and opening it. Therefore, not receiving an AOR immediately does not automatically mean that the application was lost.
Depending on the type of application, the wait for an AOR can vary considerably.
IRCC notes that the steps before an applicant can check status may take anywhere from several days to several months, depending on what was applied for.
Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that something has gone wrong simply because they have not received an AOR shortly after submission.
Why Might an AOR Take Time?
There are several possible reasons.
1. IRCC Has Received the Application but Has Not Opened It
An application can arrive at an IRCC office and remain waiting to be opened and reviewed.
The department specifically notes that there can be a delay between receipt and opening.
2. The Application Is Being Checked for Completeness
IRCC needs to determine whether the application includes the required forms, documents and fees.
The AOR is sent after this initial completeness check.
3. The Application May Be Incomplete
If an application is incomplete, it may be returned rather than proceeding normally.
IRCC says applications may be returned if they are incomplete, fees are missing, or certain program-specific circumstances apply, such as a program being paused or closed or a cap being reached.
4. Processing Volumes Can Affect Timing
The amount of time before an application is opened can vary depending on the application type and IRCC’s workload.
For this reason, applicants should always check the current processing information for their specific immigration category rather than relying on another applicant’s timeline.
How to Check Your IRCC Application Status
Once you have the necessary application information, IRCC provides online methods for checking application status.
The exact method depends on the type of application and how it was submitted.
IRCC’s application-status page currently provides options including the Client Application Status tool and online accounts.
Client Application Status Tool
The Client Application Status tool, often referred to as CAS, allows eligible applicants to check their application status online.
IRCC says the tool is updated daily. Applicants generally need identification information from documents associated with their application.
IRCC Secure Account
Applicants can also use an IRCC secure account where appropriate.
If an application was submitted on paper, it may be possible to link it to an online account.
Once linked, applicants can receive online messages and see application updates.
How to Link a Paper Application to an IRCC Account
Linking a paper application can be useful because it provides online access to information and messages.
IRCC’s current instructions say applicants should sign into their account and select the option to add or link an application.
The information entered must match the information provided in the original application. If information was updated after submission, IRCC says applicants should use the most recent information.
There is an important limitation: IRCC says applicants can try to link an application five times. If linking does not work after five attempts, the account can be locked for 24 hours.
Applicants should therefore avoid repeatedly guessing information.
How Long Does It Take for an Application to Appear Online?
Even after IRCC receives an application, there may be a delay before it appears in an online account.
IRCC currently states that, for applications being linked, it can take up to five days for online applications to appear in an account after IRCC receives them. The department also says that if an application does not appear after five days, applicants can contact IRCC and report a technical problem, and that this issue does not delay processing.
This is different from the overall processing timeline.
Applicants should not interpret a short delay in the online account as evidence that the application has been refused or lost.
What Information Do You Need to Check Your Application?
The information required depends on the type of application.
IRCC explains that applicants may need details such as:
- Unique Client Identifier (UCI)
- Application number
- Name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
Representatives may have additional identification requirements.
Keeping your application documents organized makes it easier to access this information when needed.
What Does “Received” Mean?
If your application status says Received, it generally means IRCC has received the application and is checking whether it is complete.
The IRCC application status tracker explains that “Received” means the application has been received and is being checked for completeness.
This is different from “In progress.”
Received
The application has reached IRCC and is undergoing the relevant initial checks.
In Progress
IRCC is continuing to review the application.
The tracker may also provide progress information for individual sections.
Closed
Depending on the application, a closed status can mean the application has reached its final stage, such as approval or another final outcome. Applicants should read the accompanying information carefully because the meaning depends on the application type.
What If You Submitted Your Application Through a Visa Application Centre?
Some applicants submit applications through a Visa Application Centre, commonly called a VAC.
VACs provide administrative services associated with applications and may offer tracking services.
IRCC says that for applications submitted at a VAC, applicants can use the VAC’s tracking service to determine when the application has been received at IRCC offices.
Applicants should remember that VAC tracking and IRCC application status are not necessarily the same thing.
A VAC tracking update may show movement of the application, while the IRCC system provides information about processing.
What If Your Online Application Shows a Confirmation but No AOR?
This situation can cause confusion.
An online submission confirmation demonstrates that you successfully submitted the application electronically.
However, IRCC specifically distinguishes the immediate submission email from the AOR.
For example, IRCC’s citizenship guidance explains that an online applicant may immediately receive an email confirming successful submission, but that this email is not an AOR. IRCC still needs time to check that the application is complete before issuing the AOR.
Therefore, applicants should keep their initial submission confirmation but understand that the AOR may come later.
What If Your Application Was Returned?
If IRCC determines that an application is incomplete, the application may be returned.
Missing fees can also result in an application being returned.
IRCC also identifies other circumstances that can lead to an application being returned, including certain situations where a program has been paused, closed or reached a cap.
If your application is returned, read the accompanying explanation carefully.
Do not simply resubmit the same package without understanding why it was returned.
Check whether a document was missing, a form was incomplete, a signature was required or a fee issue needs to be corrected.
What Should You Do While Waiting for Your AOR?
Waiting can be stressful, but there are several practical steps you can take.
Keep Your Documents
Save copies of:
- Submitted forms
- Supporting documents
- Payment receipts
- Courier tracking information
- Submission confirmation emails
- IRCC messages
- Application numbers
- UCI information
Having everything together makes it easier to respond if IRCC requests additional information.
Monitor Your Email
Check the email address used in your application regularly.
Also check your junk or spam folders because important automated messages can sometimes be filtered.
Check Your IRCC Account
Where appropriate, periodically sign in to your account to see whether a new message or application update is available.
Check Processing Times
IRCC provides current processing-time information for different types of applications.
Processing times can change, so applicants should use the official IRCC tool rather than relying on old social media posts or timelines from other applicants.
When Should You Contact IRCC?
Applicants should avoid contacting IRCC repeatedly simply because an AOR has not arrived immediately.
First, verify that:
- Your application was submitted successfully.
- Your payment was processed.
- Your courier confirms delivery if you applied by paper.
- You used the correct application process.
- You have checked your email and account.
- You have considered the normal timeline for your application type.
If your application has gone beyond the relevant expected timeframe or there is a technical problem, IRCC provides ways to contact the department or submit an online enquiry where appropriate.
For applicants outside Canada, IRCC provides online contact options for certain situations.
Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid
One common mistake is confusing delivery confirmation with an AOR.
A courier can confirm that a package was delivered, but this does not mean IRCC has completed its initial review.
Another mistake is assuming that an application number will always be available immediately.
Some applicants may receive confirmation of submission before receiving an AOR and application number.
A third mistake is repeatedly attempting to link an application using slightly different information.
IRCC’s current instructions limit applicants to five linking attempts before a 24-hour lockout.
Finally, applicants should be careful about relying on unofficial immigration websites or social media groups for individual case information.
The safest source for your application’s status is your official IRCC account, application tracker or IRCC correspondence.
Conclusion
Knowing whether IRCC received your application is an important part of the Canadian immigration process.
For online applications, a successful submission confirmation or confirmation email can show that the application was submitted electronically. For paper applications, courier or postal tracking can provide evidence that the package was delivered to the appropriate IRCC location.
However, neither of these should automatically be confused with an Acknowledgement of Receipt.
The AOR generally comes after IRCC opens the application and checks that it is complete. IRCC then provides an application number that can be used for subsequent status tracking.
Once an application is eligible for online tracking, applicants can use the appropriate IRCC status tool or account. Depending on the application, they may see information about the application’s overall status, individual processing stages, messages, documents and next steps.
If you have submitted an application and are still waiting, the best approach is to keep your submission evidence, monitor your email and IRCC account, retain your courier tracking information where applicable and check the official processing information for your particular application.
Most importantly, remember that not receiving an AOR immediately does not automatically mean IRCC did not receive your application. There can be a period between physical or electronic receipt, opening the application, completing the initial review and sending the AOR.
Because immigration procedures can change, applicants should always verify the latest instructions directly through the official Government of Canada and IRCC websites before taking action on an application.